Velocipede with coordinated selective steering mechanism



Nov. 5, 1957 F. s. AJERO 2,812,194

VELOCIPEDE WITH COORDINATED SELECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 9, 1954 -Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: FORTUNA T0 5. AJERO Y 9 Q 53 k w ATTORNE Ys Nov. 5, 1957 F. s. AJERO 2,812,194

, VELOCIPEDE WITH COORDINATE!) SELECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM Filed Nov'. 9, 1954. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u: L\\ nil/ FIG. 4

l 1- [III INVENTOR: FORTUNATO s. AJERO "mkm A TTORNE Y5 VELOCIPEDE WITH COORDINATED SELECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM Fortunato S. Ajero, Gallon, Ohio Application November 9, 1954, Serial No. 467,713

14 Claims. (Cl. 280-263) This invention relates in general to velocipedes or tricycles, and more particularly to a velocipede having coordinated steering mechanisms which will selectively direct the velocipede into straight-line movement at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the velocipede.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide an auxiliary steering mechanism for velocipedes which is coordinated with and responsive to actuation of the primary steering mechanism. 1

Another object of my invention is to provide clutch means for selectively engaging or disengaging said auxiliary. steering mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a clutch structure which will be disengageable only when the rear wheels of the velocipede are set in square position, that is, for travel in a direction parallel -to the longitudinal axis of the velocipede.-- I

A further objeetof my invention is to provide a driven wheel structure which is mounted for steering movement, asaforesaid.

Still another object of my invention is'to provide power transmission means which will not become disengaged or inoperative when the driven wheel issteered. v Other objects andadva'ntages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate'like parts throughouf'the' same, Fig. l'isa side elevation of'avelocipede embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a planview of the velocipede shown in Fig. l, "with the'seat and a portion of the steerin'g rod omitted. Fig'. 3 is ia viewinelevation of the rear or the velocipede shewn'in'Fi ljwiththef seat omitted." Fig.1 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 '4 of Fig." 1, showing (retainer the clutch mechanism.

Big. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on lirie-S'f-Sbffigfl. "j v v I c Fig. 6 is across-sectional view taken'on line 6,' 6 of --Fig. 2," "showing details of the mounting of the driven wheel and the ,drivingconnections. I p e p Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing a modified form of driving connection. v j p v I nearing more particularly to Figs. 1-3 of the: draw- ;ihgs, I have] shown a velocipede which, in this instance, consists of affront wheel 10, a1ri ghtrear wheel 11 and a left rear fwheel12 whi'ch support a. frame 13 The frame 13includes a longitudinally-extending horizontal memher 14 which'may be formed of any suitable material, for example, metallicjtubing, which light in weight but [structurally adequate The front wheel provides a pri- -"mary steerable ground-engaging element, and the rear wheels provide auxiliary steerable ground-engaging elements, as appears'more fully hereinafter.

Adjacent its rearward end, the member 14 supports an "adjustable seat 15. Intermediate itsends, themember 14 has secured thereto an inverted U-shaped-yoke orbracket 2,812,194 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 16 having parallel arms 17 which extend downwardly from opposite sides of the member 14. A pedal sprocket 18 is journalled and supported between the arms 17, and has secured thereto the diametrically opposed crank-arm and foot-pedal assemblies 19.

At its forward end, the member 14 is fixedly secured to a vertically extending sleeve or journal 20 in which is rotatably mounted the stem or shank 21 of a front wheel fork 22. The front wheel 10 is mounted for axial rotation in the fork 22.

The shank 21 projects upwardly through the sleeve 20 and has secured thereto a steering rod 23. Although the steering rod 23 may be secured to the shank 21 in any suitable manner to cause rotation or steering movement of the fork 22, I prefer to have the shank respond to axial rotation of the steering rod and, therefore, I employ a universal joint 24 to couple the lower end of the steering rod 23 to the upper end of the shank 21. This permits the steering rod to be disposed at an angle to the rotational axis of the fork 22, as indicated in Fig. 1, so as to bring the upper or operating end of the steering rod into convenient proximity to the operator. A suitable hand grip or steering wheel 25 issecured to the upper end of the steering rod 23 for efiecting convenient manipulation of the primary steering means described.

As indicated in broken-line outline in Figs. 1 and 2, the velocipede would normally be embellished or streamlined by an ornamental shell 26 which is suitably supported on the frame'13. The steering rod 23 is rotatably supported in a bracket 27 which is secured to the hood portion'28 of the ornamental shell 26.

iReferring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, the rear end'of frame member 14 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to a yoke member 29 which extends transversely of the longitudinalmember 14. and has depending parallel arms 30. Each of the arms 36 is provided with a laterally extending web or plate 31 which supports a vertically extending sleeve or journal 32. The right rear wheel 11 is mounted for axial rotation on a spindle 33 which has a vertically extending pivot pin 34 rotatably received in the sleeve 32. A pivot pin 35 is -ro tatably' mounted in the other sleeve 32 and has a'laterally extending arm 36 fixedly secured to the lower end thereof. T he arm '36 has Welded thereto a hub or casing -37'provided with an internal bushing or sleeve bearing 38. The disk wheel 12 has a stub axle 39 fixedly secured thereto and journalled in the sleeve bearing 38. i I

A journal 40 is secured to the lower end of each of the arms 30, and a drive shaft 41 is rotatably supported in the aligned journals 40. A sprocket wheel 42 is fixedly secured to shaft 41 and is connected by a roller chain '43to the pedalsprocket ls, so as to transmit axial rotation and driving power to the shaft 41. An angularly adjustable driving connection is utilized to connect the drive shaft 41 to the wheel 12. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the driving connection consists of a sheathed flexible shaft or cable 44 which has one end thereof secured to the drive shaft, as by locking pin 45, and has the other end secured to stub shaft 39 by means of a collar 46 and pin 47. A clearance space 48 between collar 46 and the end of sleeve bearing 38 permits thestub shaft 39 to have a limited degree of sliding movement relative to hub 37 to compensate for the shortening of the effective length of flexible cable 44 which may occur during pivotal steering movement of wheel 12. The drive shaft 41 is held against longitudinal displacement by means of thrust washers 49 and the pins and 50 mounted on opposite ends thereof.

The pivot pins 34 and 35 each have an extension 51 of reduced diameter which projects upwardly from the -journal sleeve 32. A sheave or pulley 52 is fixedly secured .to each of the extensions 51. A thrust washer 53 is mounted on the lower end of pivot pin 35 and bears against the lower end of sleeve 32. A thrust washer 53 is also mounted on the lower end of pivot pin 34 between the lower end of sleeve 32 and a thrust flange or collar 53a which is fixedly secured to the pivot pin 34.

Thus the thrust washers 53 limit upward movement of pivot pins 34 and 35 in the sleeves 32, and the pulleys 52 limit downward movement of the pivot pins 34 and 35.

A pair of idler or guide pulleys 54 are each rotatably mounted on vertical stub shafts 55 which are secured in the yoke member 29 at points equidistant from the longtudinal axis of frame member 14. The pulleys 54 are coplanar with the pulleys 52. The function of these pulleys will become evident hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, I have provided a pulley or sheave 56 which is rotatably mounted on the shank 21 of the front wheel fork 22. The pulley 56 is fixedly secured to a clutch plate 57 which is also rotatably mounted on shank 21 and rests upon or overlies a steering plate 58 which is fixedly secured to the fork 22., A thrust washer 59 is interposed between pulley 56 and the lower end of journal sleeve 20. The fork 22 and its integrated steering plate 58 provide the primary steering member; and the clutch plate 57 and its integratedpulley 56 provide the auxiliary steering member.

The steering plate 58 is in the form of semi'circular sector which is concentric with the axis of shank 21 and which extends forwardly of the fork 22. The clutch plate 57 is essentially rectangular in form and is disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the velocipede. Its forward edge extends beyond the steering plate 58 and is flanged upwardly as at 60. A recess or notch 61 is provided in the flange 60 and extends medianly into the body of clutch plate 57. A corresponding notch 62 is provided in the marginal portion of the steering plate, 58. i

A clutch element 63 having upper and lower extensions or fingers 64 and 65, respectively, is rotatably secured on a pivot pin 68 between a pair of horizontally-spaced upstanding ears 66 which are provided on clutch plate 57 to either side of the notch 61. The clutch element finger 65 is movable in the notch or recess 61,and is normally biased into the notch by a torsion coil spring 67 which is carried by the pivot pin 68 and engages the clutch element.

A lock plate 69, which is concentric with steering plate 58, but of smaller radius, is fixedly secured to the journal sleeve 20 in the path or movement of the upperfinger 64 of the clutch element. The lock plate is provided with a notch or recess 70 which is adapted to receive the finger 64.

A yieldable or lost-motion link 71, which may be a coil spring, is secured at one of its ends to the clutch element 63, and is fastened at its other end to a lever arm 72 which is pivotally secured in a bracket 73 mounted on the hood portion 28 of the shell 26. A control or selector rod 74 is pivotally secured to the lever arm 72 and extends slidably through an aperture 75 in the steering rod bracket 27. A spur 76 is provided on the control rod 74 to engage the bracket 27 and selectively maintain the control rod in the retracted position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. A knob 77 is provided on theend of the rod 74.

A linkage is provided for transmitting the rotation of the clutch plate 57 to the rear wheel pivot pins 34 and 35. In the illustrated form, the linkage consists of a flexible cable 78 which is trained over the pulley 56 and is crossed over to one idler pulley 54, around the pulleys 52, and

is returned over the other idler pulley 54 to the opposite side of the front pulley 56. The cable is anchored to the pulleys 52 and 56 by means of a snubber pin 79 which continue to receive traction power even though it is is provided on each of these pulleys, and this arrange ment of parts provides the auxiliary steering means.

The operation of the velocipede will now be described.

For conventional operation, the selector rod 74 is maintained in the retracted position by means of the spur 76. This causes the lever arm 72 to be maintained in the rearward dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. This position of the lever arm 72 causes an increased tension on spring link 71 which is suflicient to overcome the opposing force of torsion spring 67 and thereby the clutch element 63 is rotated counter-clockwise and maintained in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the upper finger 64 is received in the recessed portion of the lock plate 69, and the lower finger 65 is drawn out of the recess 62 in steering plate 58 although it still engages the recess 61 in the flange 60 of the clutch plate 57. The recess 70 is so located that when the clutch element 63 bridges or interlocks the clutch plate 57 and the lock plate 69, the rear wheels 11 and 12 are in the conventional, square position. By the term square, I mean that the wheels rotate about an axis which is normal to the longitudinal axis of the velocipede.

Driving power is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 by means of the chain and sprocket assembly. If the steering rod 23 isrotated, the universal joint 24 transmits the rotation to the shank 21 of the front wheel fork 22 so that the front wheel 10 changes its direction of movement. The steering plate 58 rotates in unison with the fork 22, however, the clutch plate 57 is locked against rotational movement. Thus, it will be apparent that the rear wheels 11 and 12 are held square by means of the interconnection of the pivot pins 34 and 35 through pulleys 52 and cable 78 with the immobilized pulley 56 which is fixedly secured to clutch plate 57. The vehicle responds solely to the steering movement of the front wheel 10.

To engage the auxiliary steering system, the selector rod 74 is released from retention by spur 76 and is advanced to cause or permit arm 72 to rotate counterclockwise (Fig. 1). The torsion spring 67 is then effective to urge clutch element 63 to pivot clockwise or downwardly. If, at the time the selector rod 74 is released, the front wheel 10 is square with the rear wheels, then the recess 62 in steering plate 58 will be in alignment with the recess 61 in clutch plate 57 and the lower finger 65 of element 63 will move into recess 62 while the upper finger 64 moves out of locking plate recess 70.

In the event that the selector rod is advanced when the front wheel 10 is not square with the rear wheels, the recess 62 of the steering plate Will not be in registry with the lower finger 65 of the clutch element, and the finger 65 will ride upon the circular periphery of the steering plate until such time as the front wheel is rotated to the square position when the element 63 can engage the recess 6 2. By this arrangement, the operator of the veloeipede is safeguarded against an unexpected or abrupt change in direction of movement which might be hazardous.

When the clutch element 63 engages the recess 62 in steering plate 58, the steering plate and clutch plate 57 are interconnected for concurrent rotary movement. Thus, any steering movement of front wheel 10 will actuate the pulley 56. The rotation of pulley 56 in either direction will be transmitted by cable 78 and pulleys 52 to. the pivot pins 34, 35 to cause steering movement of the rear wheels 11 and 12 in the same direction so that the path of movement of all three wheels is parallel. This condition is indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2. The velocipede will then have a bodily movement which is rectilinear and is angular with respect to its longitudinal axis. 1

Due to the angularly adjustable driving connection 44 between wheel 12 and drive shaft 41, the wheel 12 will rotated in one direction or the other about the axis of pivot pin 35. The steering rotation of the three wheels may, as apratical matter, be limited to about 80 in each direction, although rotation of is possible.

ithev flexible shaft 44. .shaft .41 is not in' axial alignment with the axis of the Suitable abutments or stops (not shown) may be'provide'd to limit the steering movement of the front wheel to the desired angularity.

The auxiliary or rear wheel steering mechanism, when engaged as heretofore described, is directly responsive to the primary or front wheel steering system and permits oblique rectilinear travel of the velocipede while the driving or power connections are operative to produce traction. To disengage the auxiliary steering mechanism, the selector rod 74 is retracted to its original position when the front wheel 10 is in the square position. This causes clutch element 63 to withdraw from engagement with steering plate 58 and to engage locking plate 69 to immobilize the auxiliary steering mechanism and lock the rear wheels against steering rotation. However, when a yieldable linkage such as spring 71 is utilized, the selector rod 74 may be retracted irrespective of the position of front wheel 10, as the clutch element is then cocked and will ride on the edge of. the locking plate 69, without withdrawing from steering plate recess 62, until the front wheel is rotated to the position where the finger 64 will snap into the locking plate recess .70. The circular periphery of the locking plate thus prevents any disengagement of the clutch element from thesteering plate until all the wheels are in square position, even though the clutch element 63 can'be cocked or energized for such disengagement While the wheels are in any steering position. p H a In Fig. 7, Ihave shown -amodifi'ed form of my invention in whichthe angularly adjustable driving connection comprises a train of cog-wheels or gears in'lieu of In this embodiment, the drive wheels 11 and'12 but is elevated thereabove. 'A cogwheel 80 is securedto one end of drive shaft 41 and :engages; an idler cog-wheel 81 which is rotatably secured to pivot pin 35 at right angles to cog-wheel 80. The cog-wheel 81 engages a cog-wheel 82 which is secured to the stub axle 39 of the rear wheel 12 at right angles to cog-wheel 81. The rotation of drive shaft 41 is thereby transmitted to the wheel 12 through the train of cog-wheels to cause wheel 12 to rotate in the same direction as shaft 41. When the auxiliary steering mechanism is engaged in the manner previously described, the cog-wheels will continue to transmit power to the wheel 12 irrespective of its steering position.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a front traction wheel rotatably secured to said frame for steering movement, a pair of rear traction wheels rotatably secured to said frame for steering movement, means for driving at least one of said rear wheels, an angularly movable driving connection between said means and said one rear wheel, primary steering means for said front wheel including a steering member operatively secured to said front wheel and rotatable therewith, auxiliary steering means for said rear wheels including a clutch plate coaxial with said steering member and rotatably mounted relatively thereto, a clutch element pivotally secured to said clutch plate and yieldably engaging said steering member to secure said plate to said steering member for simultaneous rotation therewith, means for selectively disengaging said clutch element from said steering member, and means for locking said clutch plate in a predetermined position of angularity in response to said disengagement.

2. In a vehicle steering mechanism, the combination of a first ground-engaging element rotatably mounted for steering movement, a second ground-engaging element rotatably mounted for steering movement, primary steering means for rotating said first element, auxiliary steering means for rotating said second element, clutch means for selectively connecting said auxiliary steering means to said primary steering means for concurrent steering movement'therewith, and locking means carried by said clutch and engageable with the frame of the vehicle and responsive to disengagement of said clutch means for securing said auxiliary steering means against steering movement.

3. A combination, as defined in claim 2, wherein said primary steering means includes a primary steering member secured to said first ground-engaging element for rotation therewith, said auxiliary steering means includes an auxiliary steering member rotatably mounted for steering movement in coaxial alignment with said primary member, said clutch means comprises a movable arm carried by said auxiliary member and engageable with said primary member to secure said members for concurrent steering rotation, and said locking means comprises a fixed abutment on said vehicle and an extension on said arm movable into engagement with said abutment in response to disengagement of said arm from said primary member, whereby said auxiliary steering means is immobilized.

4. A combination, as defined in claim 3, including means securing said arm against engaging or disengaging movement relatively to said primary member in response to steering rotation of said primary member from square position.

steering movement, a second ground-engaging element rotatably mounted for steering movement, primary steering means for rotating said first element, auxiliary steering means for rotating said second element, locking means engageable with the frame of the vehicle and releasably securing said auxiliary steering means in a position to maintain said second ground-engaging element in square position, and clutch means carried by said locking means and responsive to releasing movement of said locking means to operatively connect said auxiliary steering means to said primary steering means for steering movement therewith.

7. In a vehicle steering mechanism, the combination of a frame, a first ground-engaging element rotatably mounted on said frame for steering movement, a second ground-engaging element rotatably mounted on said frame for steering movement, a primary steering member associated with said first element, an auxiliary steering member associated with said second element, a clutch element movably mounted on said auxiliary steering member, said clutch element being movable into locking engagement with said frame when said auxiliary steering member is in a predetermined position of steering movement, and said clutch element being movable into locking engagement with said primary steering member when said primary steering member is in a position of steering movement corresponding to said predetermined position of said auxiliary steering member.

8. A combination, as defined in claim 7, wherein said predetermined position of steering movement is one in which said second ground-engaging element is in square position relatively to the longitudinal axis of said frame.

9. A combination, as defined in claim 7, including clutch-engaging means provided on said frame in the path of movement of said clutch element in one direction, clutch-engaging means provided on said primary steering member in the path of movement of said clutch element in the opposite direction, and said clutch element being movable away from one of said clutch-engaging means and toward the other of said clutchengaging means when said clutch-engaging means are aligned with each other.

10. In a vehicle steering mechanism, the combination of a first ground-engaging element rotatably mounted for steering movement, a second ground-engaging element rotatably mounted for steering movement, primary steering means associated with said first element, auxiliary steering means associated with said second element, a clutch element operatively connecting said primary and auxiliary steering means for simultaneous steering move ment, control means for moving said clutch element out of said connecting relationship when said auxiliary steering means is in a predetermined steering position, and means disposed in the path of disconnecting movement of said clutch element to retain said clutch element against such movement when said auxiliary steering means is in any position other than said predetermined position.

11. A combination, as defined in claim 10, in which said control means comprises a selectively movable control member mounted on said frame, and yieldable means connecting said control member to said clutch element.

12. In a vehicle steering mechanism, the combination of a frame, a first ground-engaging element rotatably mounted on said frame for steering movement, a second ground-engaging element rotatably mounted on said frame for steering movement, primary steering means associated with said first element, auxiliary steering means associated with said second element, a releasable locking element securing said auxiliary steering means to said frame in a predetermined steering position, clutch means responsive to releasing movement of said locking ele ment connecting said primary and auxiliary steering means for simultaneous steering movement, control means for releasing said locking element when said primary steering means is in a predetermined steering position relatively' to the steering position of said auxiliary steering means, and means disposed in the path of releasing movement of said locking element to retain said locking element against such movement when said primary steering means is in any position other than said predetermined position. 1 i

13. A combination, as defined in claim 12, in which said control means comprises a selectively movable control member mounted on said frame, and a' lost-motion connection between said control member and said locking element.

14. In a vehicle steering mechanism, the combination of a frame, a first ground-engaging wheel pivotally secured to said frame for steering movement, a second ground-engaging wheel pivotally secured to said frame for steering movement, primary steering means, including a rotatable steering plate, associated with said first wheel, auxiliary steering means, including a rotatable clutch plate, associated with said second wheel, said clutch plate being coaxial with said steering plate, a clutch element movably mounted on said clutch plate and engageable with said steering plate, control means for disengaging said clutch element from engagement with said steering plate, and locking means provided on said frame and engageable with said clutch element in response to said disengaging movement of said clutch element to secure said clutch plate against steering movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,228,247 Cunningham Jan. 14, 1941 2,339,582 Peterson Ian. 18, 1944 2,559,379 Szekely July 3, 1951 2,666,491 Johnson Jan. 19, 1954 2,696,387 Nordin Dec. 7, 1954 2,715,534 Hoge et a1 Aug. 16, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 785,875 France May 27, 1935 

